18/09/2026
OBITUARY: Brian Sowman (Caretaker/Property Manager:1985-2003).
It is with deepest sympathy that we learnt of the passing of Brian Sowman on Saturday 12th September, aged 87. Brian was the College’s Caretaker/Property Manager for 18 years from 1985-2003.
Prior to his appointment at Spotswood, Brian had run a very successful motor garage in Manaia for 24 years and was a well-respected Chairman of the Manaia County Council. The property management skills Brian learnt on the county council proved invaluable to Spotswood College. He was very skilful on planning ahead of time.
For over 18 years, along with the BOT and Principal Barry Finch, Brian supervised the re-build of numerous projects at Spotswood. These included the upgrading of all of the main blocks of the College in a 10 year period. This included:-
S-Block in 1991, A-Block in 1994, Tech Block in 1999, B-Block in 2000, and the administration block in 2001. He also oversaw the construction of the Special Needs Unit on the bottom field in 1989.
Brian developed a great relationship with local tradespeople and every January he had them on site doing repairs and maintenance throughout the College campus.
When the alarm system was installed, Brian was often called out in the middle of the night and at weekends to respond to these callouts.
Brian also developed a great relationship with the Ministry of Education’s property office in Wanganui and often it only took a phone call to have some funding granted for a particular minor project.
The running of the College farm was another aspect of Brian’s position. Buying and selling of stock, ensuring that the farm was annually fertilised, noxious weeds were destroyed, the cows had water and the fences were secure. He also supervised the top field and Omata road fields ensuring that they were ready for the rugby and football seasons and the College athletics sports day. Brian also ensured that the swimming pool was functioning well. He only took his annual holidays in late-February when he was happy that the various repairs and maintenance had been completed and the swimming pool was functioning.
Brian was the College’s third Caretaker and certainly left his mark on the school. We acknowledge his service, commitment and loyalty to the College throughout his 18 years. RIP Brian.
